Fuse pin model differential or exclusion feature

ABSTRACT

A fastening system having differentiable components includes a first bushing with a first mating feature to be inserted within a first receiver. A first fuse pin with a second mating figure and being configured to shear upon the application of a first predetermined load is configured to be inserted into the first receiver and mate with the first mating feature of the first bushing. The first and second mating features correspond and permit the insertion of the first fuse pin into the first bushing within the first receiver to selectively connect components. The first bushing may prevent the complete insertion of a second fuse pin having a third mating feature into the first receiver. A second bushing having a fourth mating feature may permit the complete insertion of the second fuse pin into the second bushing positioned within a second receiver.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation patent application of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/184,128 published as U.S. Patent App.Pub. No. 2017/0137117, entitled Fuse Pin Model Differential or ExclusionFeature filed on Jun. 16, 2016, which is a continuation-in-partapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/942,422 published asU.S. Patent App. Pub. No. 2017/0137147, entitled Fuse Pin ModelDifferential or Exclusion Feature filed on Nov. 16, 2015, both of whichare incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods for afastening system having differentiable components that prevent the useof the incorrect fastening components to secure together two or moreparts.

BACKGROUND Description of the Related Art

A fastening system may be used to selectively connect together two ormore components or parts. The system may include a fuse pin and areceiver that where inserted together selectively connect together twoor more components. The fuse pin may be configured to shear upon theapplication of a predetermined force in an effort to prevent damage toother components of a system. For example, a fuse pin configured toshear upon the application of a predetermined force may connect a gearbeam to a cantilevered support mounted to a spar of an aircraft. If theaircraft has a particularly hard landing or the landing gear impacts anobject, the fuse pin is configured to shear if the load is at or above apredetermined amount. The shearing of the fuse pin may prevent othercomponents from being damaged due to the hard landing and/or impact. Forexample, the shearing of the fuse pin may help to prevent damage to thefuel box on the wing of the aircraft.

The use of fuse pins to connect aircraft components is known. However, afirst model of an aircraft may use a first fuse pin configured to shearat a first predetermined load and a second model of an aircraft may usea second fuse pin configured to shear at a second predetermined load,which differs from the first predetermined load. Although the first andsecond fuse pins are configured to shear on different loads, the visualappearance may be similar, which potentially could lead to theinstallation of the wrong fuse pin in an aircraft. Alternatively, thewrong fuse pin could be installed into an aircraft by mistake even ifthe fuse pins differ in appearance. The installation of the wrong fusepin into an aircraft system may be problematic as would be appreciatedby one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, a wrong fuse pin mayshear at a lower load than intended or may not shear when intended.Thus, it would be beneficial to prevent the insertion of the wrong fusepin into the receiver of a fastener system.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a method and system that addressat least some of the problems and disadvantages discussed above.

One embodiment is a fastening system having differentiable componentscomprising a first fuse pin configured to shear upon the application ofa first predetermined load, the first fuse pin having a first matingfeature. The system comprises a first receiver configured to receive thefirst fuse pin, the first receiver having a second mating feature,wherein the second mating feature corresponds to the first matingfeature to permit the insertion of the first fuse pin into the firstreceiver to selectively connect a first component to a second component.The first and second components may be parts of an aircraft. The firstcomponent may comprise a dog house assembly and the second component maycomprise a gear beam. The insertion of the first fuse pin into the firstreceiver may align a plurality of apertures in the first fuse pin with aplurality of apertures in the first receiver.

The system may comprise a plurality of fasteners inserted through theapertures of the first fuse pin and the first receiver to selectivelyconnect the first fuse pin to the first receiver. The system may includea second fuse pin configured to shear upon the application of a secondpredetermined load, the second fuse pin having a third mating feature,wherein the third mating feature and the second mating feature mayprevent the insertion of the second fuse pin into the first receiver toselectively connect the first component to the second component. Thesecond predetermined load may differ from the first predetermined load.The first fuse pin may be configured to selectively connect togethercomponents of a first aircraft and the second fuse pin may be configuredto selective connect together components of a second aircraft, thesecond aircraft and the first aircraft not being identical. The firstmating feature may be the shape of a head of the first fuse pin, a tab,a groove, a slot, a projection, a ridge, a valley, or an outer diameter.The third mating feature may be the shape of a head of the second fusepin, a tab, a groove, a slot, a projection, a ridge, a valley, or anouter diameter and wherein the third mating feature prevents theinsertion of the second fuse pin into the first receiver to selectivelyconnect the first component to the second component. The second matingfeature may be a mirror image of the first mating feature.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a method of providing afastening system having differentiable components. The method comprisesproviding a first fuse pin, the first fuse pin configured to shear uponthe application of a first predetermined load and providing a firstreceiver configured to receive the first fuse pin. The method comprisesvarying a feature on the first fuse pin with respect to the same featureon a second fuse pin and varying a feature of the first receiver tocorrespond with the feature varied on the first fuse pin, wherein thefirst fuse pin may be inserted into the first receiver.

The method may comprise inserting the first fuse pin into the firstreceiver to selectively connect together a first component and a secondcomponent. The first and second components may be parts of an aircraft.The insertion of the first fuse pin into the first receiver may align aplurality of apertures of the first fuse pin with a plurality ofapertures of the first receiver and further comprising inserting aplurality of fasteners through the plurality of apertures to selectivelyconnect the first fuse pin to the first receiver. The method may includeproviding the second fuse pin, the second fuse pin configured to shearupon the application of a second predetermined load, the secondpredetermined load differing from the first predetermined load andvarying a feature on the second fuse pin, wherein the varied featureprevents the insertion of the second fuse pin into the first receiver toselectively connect together a first component and a second component.

Varying the feature of the first fuse pin may comprise providing a taband varying the feature of the first receiver may comprise providing agroove, wherein the tab of the first fuse pin fits within the groove ofthe first receiver when the first fuse pin is inserted into the firstreceiver. Varying the feature of the first fuse pin may comprise varyinga slope of a portion of the first fuse pin with respect to a slope ofthe corresponding portion of the second fuse pin and varying the featureof the first receiver may comprise varying a slope of a portion of thefirst receiver to mate with the slope of the varied portion of the firstfuse pin. The slope of the corresponding portion of the second fuse pinmay prevent the insertion of the second fuse pin into the firstreceiver.

Another embodiment is a fastening system having differential components.The system comprises a first fuse pin, the first fuse pin having a firstmating feature and a first receiver configured to receive the first fusepin, the first receiver having a second mating feature. The systemcomprises a second fuse pin, the second fuse pin having a third matingfeature, wherein the second mating feature corresponds to the firstmating feature to permit the insertion of the first fuse pin into thefirst receiver to selectively connect a first component to a secondcomponent, and wherein the third mating feature in combination with thesecond mating feature prevents the insertion of the second fuse pin intothe first receiver to selectively connect the first component to thesecond component.

One embodiment is a fastening system having differential componentscomprising a first bushing having a first mating feature positionedwithin an opening of a first receiver and a first fuse pin configured toshear upon an application of a first predetermined load, the first fusepin having a second mating feature. The second mating feature of thefirst fuse pin corresponds to the first mating feature of the firstbushing to permit insertion of the first fuse pin into the first bushingwithin the first receiver to selectively connect a first component to asecond component.

The first and second components may be parts of an aircraft. The firstcomponent may be a dog house assembly and the second component may be agear beam. The insertion of the first fuse pin into the first receivermay align a plurality of apertures in the first fuse pin with aplurality of apertures in the first receiver. A plurality of fastenersmay be inserted through the apertures of the first fuse pin and thefirst receiver to selectively connect the first fuse pin to the firstreceiver. The system may include a second fuse pin configured to shearupon an application of a second predetermined load, the second fuse pinhaving a third mating feature, wherein the third mating feature of thesecond fuse pin and the first mating feature of the first bushing mayprevent insertion of the second fuse pin into the first bushing withinthe first receiver to selectively connect the first and secondcomponents.

The second predetermined load may differ from the first predeterminedload. The first pin may be configured to selectively connect togethercomponents of a first aircraft and the second fuse pin may be configuredto selectively connect together components of a second aircraft that isnot identical to the first aircraft. The system may include a secondbushing having a fourth mating feature positioned within an opening of asecond receiver, wherein the fourth mating feature corresponds to thethird mating feature to permit insertion of the second fuse pin into thesecond bushing within the second receiver to selectively connect twocomponents. The second mating feature of the first fuse pin and thefourth mating feature of the second bushing may prevent insertion of thefirst fuse pin into the second bushing within the second receiver toselectively connect two components.

One embodiment is a method of providing a fastening system havingdifferential components. The method comprises providing a first bushing,providing a first receiver configured to receive the first bushing, andproviding a first fuse pin configured to shear upon an application of afirst predetermined load, wherein the first bushing positioned withinthe first receiver is configured to receive the first fuse pin. Themethod includes varying a feature on the first bushing with respect tothe same feature on a second bushing and varying a feature on the firstfuse pin to correspond to the feature varied on the first bushing,wherein the first fuse pin may be inserted into the first bushing.

The method may include inserting the first fuse pin into the firstbushing within the first receiver to selectively connect together afirst component and a second component. The first and second may beparts of an aircraft. The insertion of the first fuse pin into the firstbushing positioned within the first receiver may align a plurality ofapertures of the first fuse pin with a plurality of apertures of thefirst receiver and the method may include inserting a plurality offasteners through the plurality of apertures to selectively connect thefirst fuse pin to the first receiver. The method may include providing asecond fuse pin configured to shear upon an application of a secondpredetermined load, the second predetermined load differing from thefirst predetermine load and may include varying a feature on the secondfuse pin, wherein the varied feature prevents insertion of the secondfuse pin into the first bushing to selectively connect together a firstcomponent and a second component.

Varying the feature of the first bushing may include providing aprojection and varying the feature of the first fuse pin may includeproviding a recess, wherein the projection of the first bushing may fitwithin the recess of the first fuse pin when the first fuse pin isinserted into the first bushing. Varying the feature of the firstbushing may include providing a projection and varying the feature ofthe first fuse pin may include providing a shoulder, wherein theprojection of the first bushing may mate with the shoulder of the firstfuse pin when the first fuse pin is inserted into the first bushing. Themethod may include providing a second bushing and providing a secondreceiver configured to receive the second bushing, wherein the variedfeature on the second bushing prevents insertion of the first fuse pininto the second bushing positioned within the second receiver.

One embodiment is a fastening system having differential componentscomprising a first bushing having a first mating feature and a firstfuse pin having a second mating feature. The system includes a firstreceiver configured to receive the first bushing within an opening, thefirst bushing configured to receive the first fuse pin and a second fusepin having a third mating feature. The second mating feature correspondsto the first mating feature to permit insert of the first fuse pin intothe first bushing within the first receiver to selectively connect afirst component to a second component. The third mating feature incombination with the first mating feature prevents the insertion of thesecond fuse pin into the first bushing within the first receiver toselectively connect the first component to the second component.

The system may include a second bushing having a fourth mating featureand a second receiver configured to receive the second bushing within anopening, the second bushing configured to receive the second fuse pin.The third mating feature of the second fuse pin may correspond to thefourth mating feature of the second bushing to permit insertion of thesecond fuse pin into the second bushing within the second receiver toselectively connect two components. The fourth mating feature of thesecond receiver in combination with the second mating feature of thefirst fuse pin may prevent the insertion of the first fuse pin into thesecond bushing within the second receiver.

One embodiment is a fastening system having differentiable componentsthat comprises a first bushing having a first mating feature positionedwithin an opening of a first receiver. The system includes a first fusepin comprising a head and a first projection, the first projectionconfigured to be positioned within the first bushing, the first fuse pinconfigured to shear upon an application of a first predetermined load,the first fuse pin having a second mating feature, the first and secondmating features comprise a second projection on a surface of the head ofthe first fuse pin and a recess on a surface of the first bushing. Thesecond mating feature corresponds to the first mating feature to permitinsertion of the first projection of the first fuse pin into the firstbushing within the first receiver to selectively connect a firstcomponent to a second component. The first bushing is positioned betweenthe first fuse pin and the first receiver.

One embodiment of the disclosure is a method of providing a fasteningsystem having differentiable components comprising providing a firstbushing and providing a first receiver configured to receive the firstbushing. The method includes providing a first fuse pin comprising ahead and a first projection, the first projection configured to bepositioned within the first bushing, the first fuse pin configured toshear upon an application of a first predetermined load. The firstbushing positioned within the first receiver is configured to receivethe first fuse pin. The first bushing is configured to be positionedbetween the first receiver and the first fuse pin. The method includesvarying a feature on the first bushing with respect to the same featureon a second bushing and varying a feature of the first fuse pin tocorrespond with the feature varied on the first bushing. The features onthe first bushing and the first fuse pin comprises a second projectionon a surface of the head of the first fuse pin and a correspondingrecess on a surface of the first bushing. The first fuse pin may beinserted into the first bushing.

One embodiment of the disclosure is a fastening system havingdifferential components comprising a first bushing, the first bushinghaving a first mating feature and a first fuse pin comprising a head anda first projection, the first projection configured to be positionedwithin the first bushing. The first fuse pin having a second matingfeature, the first and second mating features comprises a projection ona surface of the head of the first fuse pin and a recess on a surface ofthe first bushing. The system comprises a first receiver configured toreceive the first bushing within an opening, the first bushingconfigured to receive the first fuse pin. The first bushing isconfigured to be positioned between the first receiver and the firstfuse pin. The system includes a second fuse pin, the second fuse pinhaving a third mating feature. The second mating feature corresponds tothe first mating feature to permit insertion of the first fuse pin intothe first bushing within the first receiver to selectively connect afirst component to a second component. The third mating feature incombination with the first mating feature prevents the insertion of thesecond fuse pin into the first bushing within the first receiver toselectively connect the first component to the second component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a fastening system selectively connectingtogether two components.

FIG. 2 is a close-up view of the fuse pin and receiver of the fasteningsystem of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a close up view of an embodiment of a receiver of a fasteningsystem.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a fuse pin of a fastening system.

FIG. 5 is a partial view of an embodiment of a fuse pin of a fasteningsystem.

FIG. 6 is a schematic of a fastening system showing a fuse pinpositioned within a receiver.

FIG. 7 is a schematic of a fastening system showing the mating featurespreventing the insertion of a fuse pin within a receiver.

FIG. 8 is a schematic of a fastening system showing the mating featurespreventing the insertion of a fuse pin within a receiver.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing one embodiment for a method of providinga fastening system having differentiable components.

FIG. 10 is a close up view of an embodiment of a bushing having a matingfeature inserted into a receiver.

FIG. 11 is a close up view of an embodiment of a bushing having a matingfeature inserted into a receiver.

FIG. 12 is a schematic of a fastening system showing a fuse pin andbushing having a mating feature positioned within a receiver.

FIG. 13 is a close up view showing the mating features of the fuse pinand bushing of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a schematic of a fastening system showing a fuse pin andbushing having a mating feature positioned within a receiver.

FIG. 15 is a close up view showing the mating features of the fuse pinand bushing of FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a schematic of a fastening system showing the mating featurespermitting and preventing the insertion of a fuse pin into a receiver.

FIG. 17 is a schematic of a fastening system showing the mating featurespermitting and preventing the insertion of a fuse pin into a receiver.

While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However,it should be understood that the disclosure is not intended to belimited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within thescope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a fastening system 100 that isselectively connecting a first component 10 to a second component 20.The first and second components 10 and 20 may be parts of an aircraft.For example, the first component 10 may be a gear beam and the secondcomponent 20 may be a dog house, which may be a three piece cantileverassembly. A first fuse pin 110 is inserted into a receiver 120 of thesecond component 20 to the first component 10. The fuse pin 110 may beconfigured to shear upon the application of a predetermined load orforce disconnecting the first component 10 from the second component 20.For example, the fuse pin 110 may be configured to shear upon theapplication of a first load when an aircraft has a hard landing thatexerts a force on the landing gear that exceeds first predeterminedamount, which will cause the fuse pin 110 to shear. The fuse pin 110 maybe configured to shear to prevent damage to other components of theaircraft due to a hard landing and/or an impact with an object.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the fuse pin 110 inserted into thereceiver 120. Fasteners 130 may be inserted through apertures (bestshown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4) in the fuse pin 110 and receiver 120 toconnect the fuse pin 110 to the receiver 120. The shape andconfiguration of the fuse pin 110 and receiver 120 is for illustrativepurposes only and may be varied as would be appreciated by one ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. Thefastening system 100 includes a fuse pin 110 having a first matingfeature and a receiver 120 having a second mating feature. The first andsecond mating features correspond to permit the insertion of the fusepin 110 into the receiver 120 to selectively connect the first andsecond components 10 and 20 together as discussed herein. The secondmating feature however prevents the inadvertent insertion of a secondfuse pin into the receiver 120 in place of the first fuse pin asdiscussed herein. The first and second mating features may be varied topermit the insertion of the first fuse pin 110, but prevent theinsertion of a second fuse pin. For example, the first and second matingfeatures may be, but are not limited to, the shape of a head of thefirst fuse pin, a tab, a groove, a slot, a projection, a ridge, avalley, or an outer diameter. The second fuse pin may have a thirdmating feature that differs from the first mating feature of the firstfuse pin and thus, does not correspond to the second mating feature ofthe receiver. Thus, the third mating feature prevents the insertion ofthe second fuse pin into the receiver 120.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a receiver 120 that includes a firstflange 121 and a second flange 122. The first and second flanges 121 and122 each include an aperture 123 that permits the insertion of afastener 130 (shown in FIG. 2) to connect the receiver 120 to a firstfuse pin 110. The receiver 120 includes an opening 124 for the insertionof the projection 114 (shown in FIG. 4) of the fuse pin 110. Thereceiver 120 includes a second mating feature 125 that permits theinsertion of a first fuse pin 110, but prevents the insertion of thesecond fuse pin. The second mating feature may be a tab 125 as shown inFIG. 3. The tab 125 of the receiver 120 may mate with a first matingfeature 115, which may be a slot or groove (shown in FIG. 4) on the headof the first fuse pin 110. The tab 125 may prevent the insertion intothe receiver 120 of a fuse pin that does not include a correspondinggroove or slot as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in theart having the benefit of this disclosure. Alternatively, the secondmating feature may be a shoulder having a specific slope, a valley, agroove, or other feature that corresponds to the first mating feature ofa specific fuse pin 110.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a fuse pin 110. The fuse pin 110 includesa first flange 111 and a second flange 112 each including an aperture113 that permits the insertion of a fastener 130 (shown in FIG. 2) toselectively connected the fuse pin 110 to a specified receiver 120. Asdiscussed herein, the fuse pin 110 may be designed to shear upon theapplication of a predetermined load when connected to the receiver 120.The fuse pin 110 includes a projection 114 that is inserted through thereceiver 120. The fuse pin 110 includes a first mating feature 115,which may be a groove as shown in FIG. 4, that corresponds to a secondmating feature on the receiver 120 into which the fuse pin 110 isintended to be inserted. The first mating feature may be the diameter ofthe head of the fuse pin, a shoulder having a specific slope, a valley,a groove, or other feature that corresponds to the second mating featureof a specific receiver 120 as would be appreciated by one of ordinaryskill having the benefit of this disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a partial view of an embodiment of a fuse pin 210. The fusepin 210 includes first and second flanges 211 and 212 having fastenerapertures 213 with a projection 214 for the insertion of the fuse pin210 into a receiver. The fuse pin 210 includes a first mating feature215, which for illustrative purposes differs from the first matingfeature shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic of a fastener system 300 having differentiablecomponents. The schematic shows a fuse pin 310 inserted into a receiver320. The system 300 may include bushings 340 positioned between the fusepin 310 and the receiver 320. The first mating feature 315 of the fusepin 310 corresponds to the second mating feature 325 of the receiver 320permitting the insertion of the projection 314 of the fuse pin 310 intothe receiver 320. The shape of the first mating feature 315 mirrors theshape of the second mating feature 325 which permits the completeinsertion of the fuse pin 310 into the receiver 320.

FIG. 7 shows the fastening system 300 with a second fuse pin 410inserted in the receiver 320. The second fuse pin 410 is not configuredto be used with the receiver 320 of the fastening system 300. Theshoulder or third mating feature 415 of the second fuse pin 410 preventsthe complete insertion of the second fuse pin 410 into the receiver 320.Although the fuse pin 410 is partially inserted into the receiver 320,the mating features 325 and 415 do not correspond and thus, thecenterline 416 of the fastener aperture of the second fuse pin 410 doesnot align with the centerline 326 of the receiver preventing theinsertion of fasteners 130 (shown in FIG. 2) to secure the second fusepin 410 to the receiver 320. Thus, the mating features 325 and 415prevents the insertion of the second fuse pin 410 with the wrongreceiver 320 as discussed herein. The first and second mating featuresmay be varied to permit the insertion of the first fuse pin 11, butprevent the insertion of a second fuse pin as discussed herein.

FIG. 8 shows the fastening system 300 with a third fuse pin 510partially inserted in the receiver 320. The second fuse pin 510 is notconfigured to be used with the receiver 320 of the fastening system 300.The schematic shows the third fuse pin 510 partially inserted into thereceiver 320 for illustrative purposes only. As shown in the schematic,the outer diameter 517 of the head of the third fuse pin 510 is largerthan the inner diameter 327 of the receiver 320. Thus, the matingfeature (e.g. the outer diameter) of the third fuse pin 510 wouldprevent or at least decrease the likelihood of the insertion of thethird fuse pin 510 into the wrong receiver 320. The fastening system 300may include multiple fuse pins that are configured to shear at apredetermined load that differs from the first fuse pin 410 configuredto be inserted in the receiver 320. As would be appreciated by one ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure, themultiple fuse pins may each include a mating feature that preventsand/or decreases the chance of the insertion of the multiple fuse pinsinto the receiver 320 and does permit the insertion of each fuse pininto a receiver it is configured to be used with to connect together twoor more components.

FIG. 9 shows a flow chart showing one embodiment for a method 600 ofproviding a fastening system having differentiable components. A firstfuse pin configured to shear at a first predetermined load is providedas step 610. As discussed above, the fuse pin may be configured to shearupon a set load to protect damage to other components upon theapplication of the predetermined load. A first receiver configured toreceive the first fuse pin is provided at step 620. A feature on thefirst fuse pin is varied with respect to the same feature on a secondfuse pin in step 630. In step 640, a feature of the first receiver isvaried to correspond to the feature varied on the first fuse pin topermit the first fuse pin to be inserted into the first receiver. Thevarying of features in steps 630 and 640 may decrease the chance that afuse pin not intended to be used with the first receiver may be insertedinto the first receiver to connect together two or more components.

The method 600 may include step 650, inserting the first fuse pin intothe first receiver to selectively connect a first component to a secondcomponent. The first and second components may be parts of an aircraft.The insertion of the first fuse pin into the first receiver mayselectively connect more than two components together. The insertion ofthe first fuse pin into the first receiver may align a plurality ofapertures of the first fuse pin with a plurality of apertures of thefirst receiver to permit the insertion of fasteners through theapertures to selectively connect the first fuse pin to the firstreceiver. The method 600 may include providing a second fuse pinconfigured to shear at a second predetermined load at step 660. Thesecond predetermined load may differ from the first predetermined load.The method 600 may include varying a feature on the second fuse pin instep 670. Varying the feature in step 670 may prevent or decrease thechance of the insertion of the second fuse pin into the first receiverto selectively connect together a first component and a secondcomponent. Varying the feature in step 630 may include providing a taband varying the feature in step 640 may include providing a groove,wherein the tab may fit within the groove when the first fuse pin isinserted in the receiver. Alternatively, the receiver may include ashaped protrusion and the first fuse pin may include a correspondinglyshaped recess that mate together when the inserted together as would beappreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure. Varying the feature in step 630 may include varying aslope of a portion of the first fuse pin and varying the feature in step640 may include varying a slope of a portion of the first receiver tomate with the slope of the varied portion of the first fuse pin.

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of a receiver 720 that includes a firstflange 121 and a second flange 122. The first and second flanges 121 and122 each include an aperture to permit the insertion of a fastener toconnect the receiver to a fuse pin as previously discussed herein inregards to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. The receiver 720 includes an opening 124for the insertion of a bushing 740A as shown in FIG. 11. The opening 124also permits the insertion of the projection of a fuse pin as discussedpreviously in regards to FIGS. 2-4. The bushing 740A includes a matingfeature 741 that is configured to mate with a specific fuse pin whilepreventing the insertion of a different fuse pin as is discussed indetail herein. As shown in FIG. 10, the mating feature 741 may bepositioned close to and edge of the bushing 740A so that the bushing740A may include a single shoulder 742 adjacent to the mating feature741. The shoulder 742 may be positioned inside or outside of the matingfeature 741 as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the arthaving the benefit of this disclosure.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of a receiver 720 that includes a firstflange 121 and a second flange 122. The first and second flanges 121 and122 each include an aperture to permit the insertion of a fastener toconnect the receiver to a fuse pin as previously discussed herein inregards to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. The receiver 720 includes an opening 124for the insertion of a bushing 740B as shown in FIG. 11. The opening 124also permits the insertion of the projection of a fuse pin as discussedpreviously in regards to FIGS. 2-4. The bushing 740B includes a matingfeature 741 that is configured to mate with a specific fuse pin whilepreventing the insertion of a different fuse pin as is discussed indetail herein. As shown in FIG. 11, the mating feature 741 may bepositioned on the bushing 740B so that the bushing 740B may include twoshoulders 742 and 743 on either side of the mating feature 741.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic of a fastener system 800 having differentiablecomponents. The schematic shows a fuse pin 810 and a bushing 840 havinga first mating feature 841 inserted into a receiver 820. The system 800may include a wear bushing 850 positioned between the bushing 840 havinga mating feature 841 and the fuse pin 810. The first mating feature 841of the bushing 840 corresponds to a second mating feature 811 of thefuse pin 810 permitting the insertion of the fuse pin 810 into thereceiver 820. The shape of the first mating feature 841 mirrors theshape of the second mating feature 811, which permits the completeinsertion of the fuse pin 810 into the receiver 820.

FIG. 13 shows a close up view of the first mating feature 841 of thebushing 840 positioned adjacent to the second mating feature 811 of thefuse pin 810. FIGS. 12 and 13 show that the first mating feature 841 ofthe bushing 840 as a projection and the second mating feature 811 of thefuse pin 810 as a recess for illustrative purposes only and may bevaried as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the arthaving the benefit of this disclosure. For example, the first matingfeature 841 of the bushing 840 could be a recess and the second matingfeature 811 of the fuse pin 810 could be a corresponding projection.Other shapes and variations may exist as would be appreciated by one ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. Forexample, the bushing 840 could include a single projection, acircumferential projection, a divot, a ledge, or a recess with the fusepin 810 having a corresponding feature.

FIG. 14 shows a schematic of a fastener system 900 having differentiablecomponents. The schematic shows a fuse pin 910 and a bushing 940 havinga first mating feature 941 inserted into a receiver 920. The system 900may include a wear bushing 950 positioned between the bushing 940 havinga mating feature 941 and the fuse pin 910. The first mating feature 941of the bushing 940 corresponds to a second mating feature 911 of thefuse pin 910 permitting the insertion of the fuse pin 910 into thereceiver 920. The shape of the first mating feature 941 mirrors theshape of the second mating feature 911, which permits the completeinsertion of the fuse pin 910 into the receiver 920.

FIG. 15 shows a close up view of the first mating feature 941 of thebushing 940 positioned adjacent to the second mating feature 911 of thefuse pin 910. FIGS. 14 and 15 show that the first mating feature 941 ofthe bushing 940 as a projection and the second mating feature 911 of thefuse pin 910 as a shoulder for illustrative purposes only and may bevaried as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the arthaving the benefit of this disclosure. For example, the first matingfeature 941 of the bushing 940 could be a shoulder and the second matingfeature 911 of the fuse pin 910 could be a corresponding projection.Other shapes and variations may exist as would be appreciated by one ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

FIG. 16 shows a schematic of a fastener system 900 having differentiablecomponents. The left side of the schematic shows a fuse pin 910 and abushing 940 having a first mating feature 941 inserted into a receiver920. As shown, the system 900 may include a wear bushing 950 positionedbetween the bushing 940 having a mating feature 941 and the fuse pin910. The first mating feature 941 of the bushing 940 corresponds to asecond mating feature 911 of the fuse pin 910 permitting the insertionof the fuse pin 910 into the receiver 920. The shape of the first matingfeature 941 mirrors the shape of the second mating feature 911, whichpermits the complete insertion of the fuse pin 910 into the receiver920. The complete insertion of the fuse pin 910 into the receiver 920aligns openings in the fuse pin 910 and the receiver 920 as indicated bycenterline 921 permitting the insertion of a fastener 930 through thefuse pin 910 and the receiver 920.

The right side of the schematic of FIG. 16 shows the wrong bushing 840having a first mating feature 841 along with the correct fuse pin 910inserted into the receiver 920. As the bushing 840 is the incorrectbushing for the receiver 920, the first mating feature 841 of thebushing 840 does not correspond to the second mating feature 911 of thefuse pin 910. Thus, the fuse pin 910 cannot be completely inserted intothe receiver 920. The incomplete insertion of the fuse pin 910 into thereceiver 920 does not align the opening in the fuse pin 910 with theopening in the receiver 920 as indicated by centerline 912 of the fusepin 910 in comparison to the centerline 921 of the receiver 920. Thus,the fastener 930 cannot be inserted into the fuse pin 910 and receiver920 openings. Although FIG. 16 shows the wrong bushing 840 preventingthe complete insertion of the correct fuse pin 910, the correct bushing940 would also prevent the complete insertion of the wrong fuse pin aswould be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having thebenefit of this disclosure. The use of a fuse pin and bushing havingmating features may ensure that the proper components are used to fastenthe system together.

FIG. 17 shows a schematic of a fastener system 800 having differentiablecomponents. The left side of the schematic shows a fuse pin 810 and abushing 840 having a first mating feature 841 inserted into a receiver820. As shown, the system 800 may include a wear bushing 850 positionedbetween the bushing 840 having a mating feature 841 and the fuse pin810. The first mating feature 841 of the bushing 840 corresponds to asecond mating feature 811 of the fuse pin 810 permitting the insertionof the fuse pin 810 into the receiver 820. The shape of the first matingfeature 841 mirrors the shape of the second mating feature 811, whichpermits the complete insertion of the fuse pin 810 into the receiver820. The complete insertion of the fuse pin 810 into the receiver 820aligns openings in the fuse pin 810 and the receiver 820 as indicated bycenterline 821 permitting the insertion of a fastener 830 through thefuse pin 810 and the receiver 820.

The right side of the schematic of FIG. 17 shows the wrong bushing 940having a first mating feature 941 along with the correct fuse pin 810inserted into the receiver 820. As the bushing 940 is the incorrectbushing for the receiver 820, the first mating feature 941 of thebushing 940 does not correspond to the second mating feature 811 of thefuse pin 810. Thus, the fuse pin 810 cannot be completely inserted intothe receiver 820. The incomplete insertion of the fuse pin 810 into thereceiver 820 does not align the opening in the fuse pin 810 with theopening in the receiver 820 as indicated by centerline 812 of the fusepin 810 in comparison to the centerline 821 of the receiver 820. Thus,the fastener 830 cannot be inserted into the fuse pin 810 and receiver820 openings. Although FIG. 17 shows the wrong bushing 940 preventingthe complete insertion of the correct fuse pin 810, the correct bushing840 would also prevent the complete insertion of the wrong fuse pin aswould be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art having thebenefit of this disclosure. The use of a fuse pin and bushing havingmating features may ensure that the proper components are used to fastenthe system together

Although this disclosure has been described in terms of certainpreferred embodiments, other embodiments that are apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art, including embodiments that do not provide allof the features and advantages set forth herein, are also within thescope of this disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the presentdisclosure is defined only by reference to the appended claims andequivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fastening system having differentiablecomponents, the system comprising: a first bushing having a first matingfeature positioned within an opening of a first receiver; a first fusepin comprising a head and a first projection, the first projectionconfigured to be positioned within the first bushing, the first fuse pinconfigured to shear upon an application of a first predetermined load,the first fuse pin having a second mating feature, the first and secondmating features comprise a second projection on a surface of the head ofthe first fuse pin and a recess on a surface of the first bushing; andwherein the second mating feature corresponds to the first matingfeature to permit insertion of the first projection of the first fusepin into the first bushing within the first receiver to selectivelyconnect a first component to a second component, wherein the firstbushing is positioned between the first fuse pin and the first receiver.2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second components areparts of an aircraft.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the firstcomponent further comprises a dog house assembly and the secondcomponent further comprises a gear beam.
 4. The system of claim 1,wherein insertion of the first fuse pin into the first receiver aligns aplurality of apertures in the first fuse pin with a plurality ofapertures in the first receiver.
 5. The system of claim 4, furthercomprising a plurality of fasteners inserted through the apertures ofthe first fuse pin and the first receiver to selectively connect thefirst fuse pin to the first receiver.
 6. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising a second fuse pin configured to shear upon an application ofa second predetermined load, the second fuse pin having a third matingfeature, wherein the third mating feature of the second fuse pin and thefirst mating feature of the first bushing prevents insertion of thesecond fuse pin into the first bushing within the first receiver toselectively connect the first component to the second component.
 7. Thesystem of claim 6, wherein the second predetermined load differs fromthe first predetermined load.
 8. The system of claim 6, wherein thefirst fuse pin is configured to selectively connect together componentsof a first aircraft and the second fuse pin is configured to selectivelyconnect together components of a second aircraft, the second aircraftand the first aircraft not being identical.
 9. The system of claim 6,further comprising a second bushing having a fourth mating featurepositioned within an opening of a second receiver, wherein the fourthmating feature corresponds to the third mating feature to permitinsertion of the second fuse pin into the second bushing within thesecond receiver to selectively connect two components.
 10. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the second mating feature of the first fuse pin and thefourth mating feature of the second bushing prevents insertion of thefirst fuse pin into the second bushing within the second receiver toselectively connect two components.
 11. A method of providing afastening system having differentiable components comprising: providinga first bushing; providing a first receiver configured to receive thefirst bushing; providing a first fuse pin comprising a head and a firstprojection, the first projection configured to be positioned within thefirst bushing, the first fuse pin configured to shear upon anapplication of a first predetermined load, wherein the first bushingpositioned within the first receiver is configured to receive the firstfuse pin, and wherein the first bushing is configured to be positionedbetween the first receiver and the first fuse pin; varying a feature onthe first bushing with respect to the same feature on a second bushing;and varying a feature of the first fuse pin to correspond with thefeature varied on the first bushing, the features on the first bushingand the first fuse pin comprises a second projection on a surface of thehead of the first fuse pin and a corresponding recess on a surface ofthe first bushing, wherein the first fuse pin may be inserted into thefirst bushing.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising insertingthe first fuse pin into the first bushing within the first receiver toselectively connect together a first component and a second component.13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first and second components areparts of an aircraft.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the insertionof the first fuse pin into the first bushing positioned within the firstreceiver aligns a plurality of apertures of the first fuse pin with aplurality of apertures of the first receiver and further comprisinginserting a plurality of fasteners through the plurality of apertures toselectively connect the first fuse pin to the first receiver.
 15. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising: providing a second fuse pin, thesecond fuse pin configured to shear upon an application of a secondpredetermined load, the second predetermined load differing from thefirst predetermined load; and varying a feature on the second fuse pin,wherein the varied feature prevents insertion of the second fuse pininto the first bushing to selectively connect together a first componentand a second component.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the secondprojection of the first fuse ping fits within the recess of the firstbushing when the first fuse pin is inserted into the first bushing. 17.The method of claim 11, wherein the recess on the surface of the firstbushing is within a shoulder of the first bushing, wherein theprojection of the first fuse pin mates with the recess within theshoulder of the first bushing when the first fuse pin is inserted intothe first bushing.
 18. The method of claim 11, further comprising:providing a second bushing; providing a second receiver configured toreceive the second bushing; and wherein the varied feature on the secondbushing prevents insertion of the first fuse pin into the second bushingpositioned within the second receiver.
 19. A fastening system havingdifferential components, the system comprising: a first bushing, thefirst bushing having a first mating feature; a first fuse pin comprisinga head and a first projection, the first projection configured to bepositioned within the first bushing, the first fuse pin having a secondmating feature, the first and second mating features comprises aprojection on a surface of the head of the first fuse pin and a recesson a surface of the first bushing; a first receiver configured toreceive the first bushing within an opening, the first bushingconfigured to receive the first fuse pin, wherein the first bushing isconfigured to be positioned between the first receiver and the firstfuse pin; a second fuse pin, the second fuse pin having a third matingfeature; wherein the second mating feature corresponds to the firstmating feature to permit insertion of the first fuse pin into the firstbushing within the first receiver to selectively connect a firstcomponent to a second component; and wherein the third mating feature incombination with the first mating feature prevents the insertion of thesecond fuse pin into the first bushing within the first receiver toselectively connect the first component to the second component.
 20. Thesystem of claim 19 further comprising: a second bushing, the secondbushing having a fourth mating feature; a second receiver configured toreceive the second bushing within an opening, the second bushingconfigured to receive the second fuse pin; wherein the third matingfeature of the second fuse pin corresponds to the fourth mating featureof the second bushing to permit insertion of the second fuse pin intothe second bushing within the second receiver to selectively connect twocomponents; and wherein the fourth mating feature of the second receiverin combination with the second mating feature of the first fuse pinprevents insertion of the first fuse pin into the second bushing withinthe second receiver.